District Bylaws

The Colorado Soil Conservation Act requires each conservation district to have a current set of signed bylaws governing its operations. The bylaws should be kept in the District office, and one signed copy should be filed with the Colorado State Conservation Board.

At any time, if your District is considering updating/amending the bylaws please contact your Regional Conservation Specialist for assistance through the process.

**It is always recommended to consult with your legal counsel on bylaws**

Steps to Amend Conservation District Bylaws

1. A full petition stating the proposed amendment's text in full to the current bylaws must be developed.  (See attached sample petition.)

2. The petition must be signed by at least three percent or fifty of the district's qualified voters, whichever is less.

3. The completed petition must be filed with the board of supervisors.

4. The complete text of the proposed amendment must be published in the notice of the meeting at which it is to be considered.

5. The notice (legal notice) must be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation within each county in which property included within the District is located not less than ten days prior to the meeting.

6. This meeting could be the annual meeting of the landowners of the District, or it could be a special meeting of the landowners called for this purpose.

7. Those present at this meeting shall constitute a quorum for the consideration of the proposed amendment.

8. The affirmative vote of a two-thirds majority of those present shall be required to adopt the proposed amendment to the bylaws.

9. A copy of the amended bylaws of the Conservation District should be emailed to the Colorado State Conservation Board.

Ten Reasons Why You Should Amend Your District's Bylaws

• • 1. To ensure accuracy with the Colorado Soil Conservation Act, C. R. S. Title 35, Article 70

    2. To change a specific number of supervisors to not less than five and not more than eleven 

    3. To permit the district to levy a tax through a vote of the landowners within the district.

    4. To eliminate and replace the district board of appeals with the State Conservation Board.

    5. Address the number of landowners necessary to constitute a quorum at the annual meeting.

    6. Delete reference to appointed members of the board of supervisors. 

    7. Update procedure to amend bylaws in accordance with the Colorado Soil Conservation Act.

    8. Eliminate voting by proxy at any district meeting. 

    9. To include provisions for term limits for members of the Board of Supervisors.

    10. To include the provision requiring at least sixty-six percent of the supervisors to be agricultural producers who are landowners in the district.